University of Wisconsin-River Falls
#9 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,458 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,054 C+
- 18% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.4 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $23.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,260,134.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 33% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Wisconsin-River Falls Matters
University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a public university in River Falls, WI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,205
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications
Why students choose University of Wisconsin-River Falls
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,054 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,458 ten years after enrolling — 33% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.73 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 4,205 students, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a solid choice for those seeking a supportive learning environment. It's particularly a good fit for individuals interested in education, business and marketing, biology, communications, or social sciences. The 82% acceptance rate indicates a welcoming atmosphere, making it accessible for a wide range of students aiming to further their education without excessive pressure during the application process.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $54,458 within ten years, which gives a sense of the financial return on investment. While the graduation rate sits at 59%, the potential for upward mobility is encouraging for those who engage fully with their studies and campus resources. Affordability plays a big role in choices, and with a net price of $14,054, many find it manageable, especially with financial aid options available to help ease the burden.
When it comes to the bottom line, the median debt for graduates is $20,500, which is quite reasonable compared to the earnings potential. This suggests that graduates aren't overwhelmed by debt, allowing them to start their careers with more financial freedom. Students who tend to thrive here are those who value community support and seek to gain practical skills in their chosen fields, making the most of the university's offerings.
Rankings
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #12 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin
- #15 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #19 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin
- #20 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #20 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Wisconsin-River Falls is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in River Falls, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-River Falls admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1150
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- ACT Range
- 19–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,788
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.27
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 4,091
- Admitted
- 3,456
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-River Falls is $17,470, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,054. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,472 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,008
- Out-of-State
- $17,470
- Avg Net Price
- $14,054
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,472
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,014
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,796
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,234
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-River Falls earn a median of $54,458, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,524
- 8 Years
- $49,859
- 10 Years
- $54,458
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (373)
- 37%
- 100% (373)
- 37%
- 100% (373)
- 37%
- 100% (373)
- 37%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Wisconsin-River Falls delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,054/year ($56,216 total). Graduates earn $54,458 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,316,350 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,260,134 (23.4× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $56,216
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,316,350
- Net Return
- $1,260,134
- ROI Multiple
- 23.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,054
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,081,206
- Investment Income
- $67,676
Top Programs
The fields University of Wisconsin-River Falls awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Education 16%
- Business & Marketing 14%
- Biology & Biomedical 9%
- Communications 7%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Psychology 4%
- Health Professions 3%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Wisconsin-River Falls's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in River Falls, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-River Falls admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-River Falls is $17,470, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,054. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,472 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-River Falls earn a median of $54,458, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
- Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg, KS · Close peer57% grad $50,579 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield, MA · Close peer55% grad $57,346 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- State University of New York at PlattsburghPlattsburgh, NY · Close peer59% grad $56,403 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Aurora UniversityAurora, IL · Close peer59% grad $58,709 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL · Close peer45% grad $54,163 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg, MA · Close peer54% grad $53,874 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-River Falls? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note